Expect Distribution_Ryder Mar 17 revised

Expect Distribution – shortlisted for three Motor Transport Awards in 2017 – has said it is “very positive” about its performance in 2017 after a year of consolidation in 2016.

Bradford-based Expect saw turnover rise 2% to £22.1m in the year-ending 30 November 2016, from £21.7m in the previous financial year, but pre-tax profit rose 43.2% to £785,096 from £548,152.

MD Neil Rushworth told Motortransport.co.uk: “We spent a long time in 2016 restructuring Expect and there is a very good feel around the business at the moment. We now have a structure and a team geared for growth and there is lots of opportunity within the market for Expect.”

The business closed its loss-making two-man distribution operation in 2015, which accounted for 6% of annual turnover. The most recent financial year also saw it make senior management changes, including the appointment of a new director of transport.

Rushworth added: “We have positioned ourselves to be a solutions based provider, adding value to all our customers and we have again invested in our infrastructure with a new two- acre lorry park and a warehousing extension to cater for anticipated growth.”

Expect invested in extensions to its distribution and storage warehousing in Bradford during financial year 2016 in preparation for new contracts that will come on-stream this year.

“The financials in 2016 were pleasing and we are very positive about the current year too,” he said.